Denial: "What-if" for The Trial of Darth Vader

Epilogue #2: The Note (three days after Anakin's death)

The speed of Sergeant Sal's recovery was quite stunning- but then, he is a healthy young man in his early twenties. A pale hand running through his blond hair, he strode down the hall, towards that all-too-familiar cell.

He had heard the news in the med bay- the suicide of Anakin Skywalker, or, since the clear majority still went by the title of his infamous former self, Darth Vader. It was quite sad, really; one, the man had been an asset to the Alliance, and two, in the time Sal spent as a guard, he came to know the man well enough to comprehend that he was much more than a machine.

Sal knew just how much his prisoner had loved his children, even if that love was partially unrequited. And since it would not be an overstatement to say that Sgt. Sal had always been a diligent man for all tasks he cared for, whether it be paperwork or guard, with his interactions at the elder Skywalker's side, his reactions were natural.

Surprisingly enough, when security forces finally entered the cell, they had found no body. The cameras located throughout the room, which all were not tampered with, indicated that the corpse just... disappeared. Evaporated.

With his release from that prison-like place, Sgt. Sal had been desperate to return to Anakin's former cell. And now, he had finally arrived. A few other former guards to the cell, who had also known a little about Anakin, were already present. Sal greeted them with a sharp nod; they returned the gesture.

Closing his eyes, Sgt. Sal drew in a breath, then walked in.

***

The note was unevenly scratched into the chair, but eligible nonetheless. Tears prickled at Sal's eyes as his eyes scanned the note over and over.

"Dear Sgt. Sal. If you read this message, it is most likely that I have passed on. If I may, I ask two more things from you. One, that I be buried by my wife Padmé Amidala Skywalker, on Naboo. You have my gratitude."

Yes. Padmé Amidala Skywalker... He had heard of the Naboo senator and queen, but never had he known the relationship that ran between her and his former prisoner. But since she was an honorable woman, he would do his best to fulfill his wish. The note continued.

"Two, please let Han Solo know that I greatly appreciate his company with my late daughter and inform him that he is a truly remarkable man, though his manners and etiquette may be of contradiction."

On the other hand, General Solo would not be difficult to find.

The next part was when the emotions would hit and swell like a hurricane inside Sgt. Sal's chest.

"Thank you for your efforts in aiding me to cope with the tremendous loss of my children. Know that I am now in a better place."

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A/N:

The end.   :)